Patrick Dempsey is used to cameras and the spotlight. Yet heading into his third 24 Hours of Le Mans start, and second collaborative effort between his Dempsey Racing organization and the European Proton Competition outfit, he’s got a better idea of how to handle it.

The debut run for Dempsey in 2009 – then in an AF Corse-run Ferrari F430 GT – was an eye-opener both into the event itself, the fervor of the French fans, and the challenge of running this 24-hour race. As it happened, he and Joe Foster had to run almost the entire second half on their own due to illness knocking their third driver out of action.

Actor Patrick Dempsey’s racing team has been selected to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Dempsey Racing said Sunday that its Porsche 911 GT3 RSR was accepted Thursday by Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s selection committee to run in the GTE-Am class in the June race. The team was fourth last year.